Fire and smoke retardant composite materials

Abstract

Flame retardant composite materials are provided which include at least one first paper which comprises carbon nanofibers and graphite oxide particles. The composite materials may further include at least one second paper which comprises carbon nanofibers. The composites may further include one or more structural material layers sandwiched between the first and second papers. Occupant structures are also provided with fire and smoke retardant surfaces composed of carbon nanofibers/graphite oxide particles papers at least partially surrounding occupants of the occupant structures.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of making a flame retardant composite material comprising:
 preparing a suspension of carbon nanofibers and graphite oxide particles in a non-solvent; and   filtering the suspension through a membrane to form a first paper which is composed of the carbon nanofibers mixed with the graphite oxide particles.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the non-solvent in the suspension comprises isopropyl alcohol or another volatile organic liquid and the weight percentage of the graphite oxide particles and the carbon nanofibers in the non-solvent is about 0.1%. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of graphite oxide particles to carbon nanofibers in the suspension is between about 1:1 and about 1:5. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising drying the first paper after the filtration. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 forming a second paper which comprises carbon nanofibers; and   molding the first and second papers together with at least one structural layer being sandwiched between the first and second papers.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one structural layer comprises a fiber reinforced polymer matrix. 
     
     
         7 . An occupant structure having an exterior portion and an interior portion defining an occupant space, the interior portion comprising:
 a flame retardant composite material, which comprises a first paper comprising carbon nanofibers and graphite oxide,   wherein the first paper is on a first surface of the flame retardant composite material proximate the occupant space.   
     
     
         8 . The occupant structure of  claim 7 , wherein the occupant structure is part of an aircraft, a watercraft, or a wheeled vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . The occupant structure of  claim 7 , wherein the first surface surrounds a majority of the occupant space.